In order to expand the global vision and mindset of undergraduates from the School of Public Affairs, and to promote the globalization and overseas exchanges of the School of Public Affairs, 29 undergraduates from the School of Public Affairs at Zhejiang university went to the University of Macau from August 18 to 21, 2024, to participate in a short-term exchange program. The program was led by Wu Zhongsheng, Hundred Talent Young Professor at the Department of Government Management, and Du Jinpei, Director of the Youth Affairs Committee.
In the afternoon of August 18, the students arrived at the University of Macau, and the Faculty of Social Sciences held a welcome meeting and exchange launching ceremony for the students. Song Weiqing, Head of Department of Government and Administration of the University of Macau, welcomed the coming of students, introducing the history of Macau and the characteristics of the University of Macau. Wu Xiang Ning, Program Coordinator of Bachelor of Social Sciences (Government and Public Administration), introduced the concrete arrangements of the exchange program and organized an ice-breaking activity, in which students from the University of Macao and the students exchanged ideas with each other and enhanced their friendship.
After the welcoming ceremony, the students from the School of Public Affairs visited the University of Macau, during which they learned about the basic information of the University and its unique college system, and took a group photo in front of the “the wall of great wisdom”, which symbolizes motto of the university: Humanity, Integrity, Propriety, Wisdom and Sincerity
On August 19th, the visiting delegation started its formal study. The morning lecture was given by Assistant Professor Lam Ka Yan of the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Macau, which is on the topic of "Africa: Challenges in Development". In the afternoon, the students studied the course "The American President: Interpreting the Veto" and listened to the sharing of Assistant Professor Jiang Jiying from the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Macau. In the enthusiastic speaking and collision of ideas, students followed the teacher's pace, better comprehended the key points of the course.
Lecture on "Africa: Challenges in Development" by Assistant Professor Catherine Lam
Lecture on "The U.S. President: Interpreting the Veto" by Assistant Professor Ji-Ying Chiang
In the morning of August 20, the delegation visited the Service Platform Complex for Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries, used by Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao), which is located at the shore of Nam Van Lake in Macao. Through more than 2,000 exhibits and multimedia, the pavilion of the Complex displayed the development process of the "Sino-Portuguese Platform", the business environment, the special products and services of Portuguese-speaking countries. Mr. Francisco Leandro from the University of Macau made a detailed introduction to the students about the development of nine Portuguese-speaking countries, including Portugal, Brazil, Mozambique and Timor-Leste, in terms of their economic, social and cultural development in the form of exhibiting their national flags.
In the afternoon of August 20, the visiting students attended the signing ceremony of the agreement on joint cultivation and student exchange between Zhejiang University and the University of Macau. Witnessed by Song Yonghua, President of the University of Macau, Zhao Zhirong, Dean of the School of Public Affairs at Zhejiang University, and Hu Weixing, Dean of the School of Social Sciences of the University of Macau, respectively signed the "Joint Dual Bachelor's Degree Program Cooperation Agreement between Zhejiang University and the University of Macau" and the "Student Exchange Agreement between the School of Public Affairs at Zhejiang University and the School of Social Sciences at the University of Macau." Afterwards, the delegation visited Zhang Kunlun College of the University of Macau, where Huang Mincong, Dean of the College, introduced in detail of the idea of the unique undergraduate talent cultivation system of the College and its construction, and Huang Caixiao, Vice Dean of the College, led the delegation to visit the office place of the College as well as the students' study and living places.
At the closing ceremony, President Zhao Zhirong and Dean Hu Weixing made closing speeches respectively and issued closing certificates to each member of the delegation. The program came to an end in a group photo. The students agreed that this short-term study visit was a valuable learning opportunity, which enabled them to have a deeper understanding of Macao and a clearer orientation for their personal development. Full of new knowledge, new vision and new reflections, the students will continue their academic journey in the future.
Students sharing their thoughts
2021 batch, Major of Land Resource Management, Wang Qisi
Participating in the Exchange program from Zhejiang University to the University of Macau has given me a lot of benefits and inspirations. First of all, the visit was organized in a very compact and meaningful way. From the August 18th to the 21st, every day was full of exciting lectures, exchange activities and practical experiences. Through this visit, I deeply felt the academic atmosphere and international vision of the University of Macau. During the visit, we listened to a number of excellent lectures, such as "Rethinking African Development" by Prof. Cindy Lam and "Decoding the U.S. Presidential Veto" by Prof. Jiying Jiang. These lectures broadened my knowledge and gave me a deeper understanding of international affairs. In addition, the visit to Permanent Secretariat of the Forum for Economic and Trade Co-operation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries (Macao) allowed us to learn about Sino-Portuguese cooperation in the field of economy and trade, which is a rare learning opportunity for me if I intend to engage in international trade in the future. In terms of practical activities, the campus tour and the visit to the residential college allowed us to experience the campus culture and living environment of the University of Macau. Interacting with the faculty and students of the University of Macau made me feel their warmth and friendliness, and also gave me a deeper understanding of the history and culture of Macau. The most unforgettable thing for me was that we witnessed the important moment when Zhejiang University and the University of Macau signed an agreement on education and student exchange. This signifies that the cooperation between the two universities will be closer, providing us with more exchange and learning opportunities. Overall, this study visit has benefited me a lot, not only increasing my knowledge but also broadening my horizons. I will cherish this opportunity and continue to study hard to lay a solid foundation for my future academic and professional career. Meanwhile, I am looking forward to meeting with my classmates from the University of Macau again to discuss academic issues and promote cultural exchange.
2
2022 batch, Major of Administrative Management, Zhu Qi
During this summer vacation, I was honored to embark on an exchange study trip to the University of Macau as a member of the School of Public Affairs. This experience is not only a collision and fusion of knowledge, but also a broadening of horizons, allowing me to deeply appreciate the academic atmosphere and humanistic feelings under different cultural backgrounds. The moment I arrived in Macau, I was deeply attracted by this city that combines the East and the West. Macau has a variety of architectural styles, including ancient and elegant Chinese temples and exotic European buildings, which coexist harmoniously and weave a unique cultural picture scroll together, and the beautiful campus of the University of Macau and its open and free atmosphere are even more beautiful scenery in this city. During our stay at the University of Macau, we had exchanges with the students of AUC. With the warm welcome from the students of AUC, we shared our hobbies, hometown customs and so on, and quickly built close friendships. At the same time, we participated in two wonderful academic lectures and seminars. Two professors from different fields brought us cutting-edge knowledge and ideas with their profound academic skills and unique insights. In addition to classroom learning, the University of Macau also arranged a wealth of practical activities for us, leading us to visit the Service Platform Complex for Trade Cooperation between China and Portuguese-speaking Countries. Through fieldwork and in-depth exchanges, we gained a more intuitive and deeper understanding of the practice of Public Affairs. Looking back on this exchange trip to the University of Macau, I deeply feel that I have gained a lot, not only learned a lot of valuable knowledge and experience, but also made a group of excellent friends and tutors, and also made me more clearly recognize my own shortcomings and the direction of my future efforts. I believe that in the future I will take this as an opportunity to continue to move forward in the pursuit of excellence and self-worth on the road to knowledge.
3
2021 batch, Major of Administrative Management, Jiang Fuwei
At the beginning, I chose to enroll in this program just for the purpose of participating in an "abstract" concept of foreign exchange, but it was not until I boarded the plane to Macau that I really felt I was going to a brand new and unfamiliar place. When I first encountered Macau, I felt the unique character of this city: on the one hand, various kinds of gilded high-rise buildings are standing in all directions of this city, showing the wealthy flaunting; on the other hand, if you choose a city walk to explore this city, you will find it is so heavy and quiet, walking in it will naturally give you the feeling of being in the middle of the city. On the other hand, if you choose city walk to explore the city, you will find that it is so heavy and quiet, walking in it will naturally give you an impulse of "even though the years are like running water, I want to remember the watery years", which is really "one side of the rich and noble is charming to the eyes, and the other side of the fireworks on the earth". Outside of life, my study at AUC also made me feel that I had gained a lot. The "soft power" of students and the Dean's competition emphasized by the AUC College made me feel that the character of the city of Macao is also rooted in its culture and education — the need to show and express oneself "ostentatiously", but at the same time, to have some precipitation in the heart, and to avoid being flashy and unrealistic. In a year full of uncertainties like my junior year, this mindset of "one movement, one static" has given me a lot of insights.
4
2022 batch, Major of Administrative Management, Guan Yuying
During the nearly four-day exchange, I was impressed by the open campus design of the University of Macau, a highly internationalized academic institution. During this visit, we attended two academic lectures, which gave us the opportunity to have in-depth exchanges with professors. Through these exchanges, I deeply felt the solid academic foundation and strong academic atmosphere of the University of Macau in public administration and related fields. This exchange is very meaningful to me. I am deeply impressed by the rigorous academic attitude and open and tolerant cultural atmosphere of the University of Macau, and I look forward to have more opportunities to participate in similar academic exchange activities in the future.
